A transmission for a vehicle is disclosed. The transmission includes a casing defining a first cavity and a second cavity inside the casing, with the first cavity selectively open to outside of the casing. The transmission also includes a platform at least partially disposed inside the casing to separate the first and second cavities. Furthermore, the transmission includes a power inverter module selectively disposed in the first cavity. The power inverter module includes a cooling system for cooling the power inverter module. The transmission also includes a guide attached to the platform and the casing within the second cavity such that the guide provides fluid communication between the cooling system of the power inverter module within the first cavity and outside of the casing while bypassing the second cavity.
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1. A transmission for a vehicle, the transmission comprising:
a casing defining a first cavity and a second cavity inside the casing;
a platform at least partially disposed inside the casing to separate the first and second cavities;
a power inverter module completely surrounded by the first cavity, and including a cooling system for cooling the power inverter module, with the cooling system defining an inlet and an outlet; and
a guide body attached to the platform and the casing, with the guide body extending outwardly away from the platform toward the second cavity, and wherein the guide body provides fluid communication between the cooling system of the power inverter module within the first cavity and outside of the casing while bypassing the second cavity;
wherein the guide body defines a first passageway extending through the platform and an outer wall of the casing for guiding a fluid from outside of the casing to the inlet of the cooling system in the first cavity and bypassing fluid communication with the second cavity;
wherein the guide body defines a second passageway spaced from the first passageway and extending through the platform and the outer wall of the casing for guiding the fluid from the outlet of the cooling system in the first cavity to outside of the casing and bypassing fluid communication with the second cavity;
wherein the first and second passageways each include a first portion extending vertically from the platform, and wherein the first and second passageways each include a second portion extending horizontally from the casing, with the first and second portions of the first passageway intersecting at a first elbow, and with the first and second portions of the second passageway intersecting at a second elbow.
20. A transmission comprising:
a casing defining a first cavity and a second cavity inside the casing, with the first cavity selectively open to outside of the casing, with the casing defining a first hole and a second hole spaced from each other;
a platform at least partially disposed inside the casing to separate the first and second cavities, with the platform defining a first bore and a second bore spaced from each other;
a power inverter module selectively disposed in the first cavity, and including a cooling system for cooling the power inverter module, with the cooling system defining an inlet and an outlet;
a guide body attached to the platform and the casing, with the guide body extending outwardly away from the platform toward the second cavity, and wherein the guide body provides fluid communication between the cooling system of the power inverter module within the first cavity and outside of the casing while bypassing the second cavity;
wherein the guide body defines a first passageway extending through the platform and an outer wall of the casing for guiding a fluid from outside of the casing to the inlet of the cooling system in the first cavity and bypassing fluid communication with the second cavity;
wherein the guide body defines a second passageway spaced from the first passageway and extending through the platform and the outer wall of the casing for guiding the fluid from the outlet of the cooling system in the first cavity to outside of the casing and bypassing fluid communication with the second cavity;
wherein the first and second passageways each include a first portion extending vertically from the platform, and wherein the first and second passageways each include a second portion extending horizontally from the casing, with the first and second portions of the first passageway intersecting at a first elbow, and with the first and second portions of the second passageway intersecting at a second elbow;
wherein the first portion of the first passageway aligns concentrically with the first bore of the platform and the first portion of the second passageway aligns concentrically with the second bore of the platform; and
wherein the second portion of the first passageway aligns concentrically with the first hole of the casing and the second portion of the second passageway aligns concentrically with the second hole of the casing.
16. A transmission for a vehicle, the transmission comprising:
a casing defining a first cavity and a second cavity inside the casing;
a platform at least partially disposed inside the casing to separate the first and second cavities;
a power inverter module including a bottom coupled to the platform and a cover coupled to the bottom, with the bottom and the cover cooperating to define a self-contained unit and a hollow therebetween, and with the power inverter module disposed in the first cavity;
wherein the power inverter module includes a first inverter electrically connected to a first motor/generator and a second inverter electrically connected to a second motor/generator, with the first and second inverters disposed in the hollow between the cover and the bottom;
wherein the power inverter module includes a cooling system at least partially disposed inside the cover and the bottom for cooling the power inverter module, with the cooling system including a body portion defining an inlet and an outlet, and with the body portion coupled to the bottom of the power inverter module, and the cooling system includes a conduit disposed inside the hollow and around the first and second inverters; and
a guide body attached to the platform and the casing, with the guide body extending outwardly away from the platform toward the second cavity, and wherein the guide body provides fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet of the cooling system of the power inverter module within the first cavity and outside of the casing while bypassing the second cavity;
wherein the guide body defines a first passageway extending through the platform and the casing for guiding a fluid from outside of the casing to the inlet of the cooling system in the first cavity and bypassing fluid communication with the second cavity;
wherein the guide body defines a second passageway spaced from the first passageway and extending through the platform and the casing for guiding the fluid from the outlet of the cooling system in the first cavity to outside of the casing and bypassing fluid communication with the second cavity;
wherein the first and second passageways each include a first portion extending vertically from the platform, and wherein the first and second passageways each include a second portion extending horizontally from the casing, with the first and second portions of the first passageway intersecting at a first elbow, and with the first and second portions of the second passageway intersecting at a second elbow.
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The present disclosure relates to a transmission for a vehicle.
Various transmissions have been developed for vehicles. One type of transmission is an electrically-variable transmission including two electric motor/generators, clutches, etc. Clutches allow one or more electrically-variable modes of operation, fixed speed ratio modes, and an electric-only (battery-powered) mode. An electric power inverter assembly is utilized to control the first and second electric motor/generators. Generally, the electric power inverter assembly is assembled remote from the electrically-variable transmission; therefore, assembly of the electric power inverter is labor intensive and additional brackets or supports are generally utilized to secure the electric power inverter assembly remote from the transmission. Furthermore, the power inverter assembly is cooled by routing fluid pipes thereto which are spaced from the transmission and thus additional space is required to accommodate these pipes.
The present disclosure provides a transmission for a vehicle. The transmission includes a casing defining a first cavity and a second cavity inside the casing, with the first cavity selectively open to outside of the casing. The transmission also includes a platform at least partially disposed inside the casing to separate the first and second cavities. Furthermore, the transmission includes a power inverter module selectively disposed in the first cavity. The power inverter module includes a cooling system for cooling the power inverter module. The transmission also includes a guide attached to the platform and the casing within the second cavity such that the guide provides fluid communication between the cooling system of the power inverter module within the first cavity and outside of the casing while bypassing the second cavity.
The present disclosure also provides a transmission for a vehicle. The transmission includes a casing including an exterior outside of the casing. The casing defines a first cavity and a second cavity inside the casing, with the first cavity selectively open to the exterior of the casing. The transmission also includes a platform at least partially disposed inside the casing to separate the first and second cavities. Furthermore, the transmission includes a power inverter module including a bottom selectively coupled to the platform and a cover coupled to the bottom. The bottom and the cover cooperate to define a self-contained unit. The power inverter module is selectively disposed in the first cavity. The power inverter module includes a cooling system for cooling the power inverter module. The cooling system includes a body portion defining an inlet and an outlet. The body portion is coupled to the bottom of the power inverter module. The transmission further includes a guide attached to the platform and the casing within the second cavity such that the guide provides fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet of the cooling system of the power inverter module within the first cavity and outside of the casing while bypassing the second cavity.
The detailed description and the drawings or Figures are supportive and descriptive of the disclosure, but the scope of the disclosure is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claims have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims.
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a transmission 10 for a vehicle is generally shown in
The transmission 10 includes a casing 12 as best shown in
Referring to
Continuing with
The casing 12, and more specifically, the walls 16 can include an exterior 28 disposed outside of the casing 12. For example, the first cavity 22 is selectively open to outside of the casing 12, and more specifically, open to the exterior 28 of the casing 12. Specifically, the first cavity 22 is generally disposed adjacent to the distal edge 18 of each of the walls 16 such that the first cavity 22 is selectively open to the exterior 28 of the walls 16 and the second cavity 24 is substantially closed to the exterior 28 of the walls 16. Specifically, in certain embodiments, the first cavity 22 is disposed above the second cavity 24 such that the platform 26 and the walls 16 cooperate to substantially close the second cavity 24.
The first cavity 22 is configured for receiving a gaseous fluid to define a dry interior. In certain embodiments, the gaseous fluid in the first cavity 22 is air. It is to be appreciated that other gaseous fluids can be disposed in the first cavity 22.
Furthermore, the second cavity 24 is configured for receiving a liquid fluid to define a wet interior. In certain embodiments, the liquid fluid in the second cavity 24 is transmission fluid. Therefore, in certain embodiments, the second cavity 24 is configured for receiving transmission fluid to define the wet interior. For example, the transmission fluid can be automatic transmission fluid (ATF). It is to be appreciated that other liquid fluids can be disposed in the second cavity 24.
The first cavity 22 is generally disposed above the second cavity 24 for maintaining the liquid fluid in the second cavity 24 such that the first cavity 22 defines the dry interior. In other words, the first cavity 22 is generally disposed above the second cavity 24 for maintaining the transmission fluid in the second cavity 24. More specifically, the first cavity 22 is generally disposed above the second cavity 24 for maintaining the transmission fluid in the second cavity 24 such that the first cavity 22 defines the dry interior. Furthermore, the platform 26 separates the first and second cavities 22, 24 to assist in maintaining the liquid fluid in the second cavity 24.
Referring to
Turning to
Referring to
Referring to
The bottom 34 of the power inverter module 30 can be coupled or attached to the platform 26 to secure the power inverter module 30 to the platform 26, and more specifically, to position the power inverter module 30 relative to the walls 16 in the first cavity 22. Therefore, uncoupling or detaching the bottom 34 of the power inverter module 30 from the platform 26 allows the self-contained unit to be easily removed and replaced by another power inverter module 30.
Continuing with
When the lid 38 is in the first position, the power inverter module 30 can be closed or sealed in the first cavity 22 such that the first cavity 22 remains dry to define the dry interior. It is to be appreciated that any suitable seal, gasket, etc. can be disposed between the distal edge 18 of each of the walls 16 and the lid 38 to assist in closing or sealing the first cavity 22 when the lid 38 is in the first position. Therefore, engagement between the lid 38 and the distal edge 18 of each of the walls 16 minimizes fluids, particles, etc. from entering the first cavity 22 from outside the casing 12.
Generally, the power inverter module 30 is configured for providing electrical energy to various components, some of which are discussed further below. Specifically, the power inverter module 30 is configured for converting direct current energy into alternating current energy. Therefore, the power inverter module 30 converts direct current energy into alternating current energy for various components, some of which are discussed further below.
Turning to
Generally, a first cable harness 46 (see
In certain embodiments, the lid 38 defines a first opening 48 (see
Turning to
Referring to
Generally, the first and second motor/generators 52, 54 can each include a rotor and a stator 56. In various embodiments, the first and/or second motor/generators 52, 54 can be referred to as traction motors. Continuing with
Generally, the electrically-variable transmission 10 can include the first and second motor/generators 52, 54 as discussed above. As implied above, the electrically-variable transmission 10 can be utilized in hybrid vehicles. Therefore, the power inverter module 30 is utilized to supply the alternating current energy to the first and second motor/generators 52, 54, as well as to control the first and second motor/generators 52, 54 as discussed further below. It is to be appreciated that the transmission 10 can include other components not specifically discussed herein. It is to also be appreciated that the transmission 10 can be utilized for vehicles other than hybrid vehicles as also discussed above.
Referring to
In various embodiments, the transmission 10 can include the pump 50 and the first and second motor/generators 52, 54. In one embodiment, the pump 50 can be disposed in the second cavity 24 of the transmission 10 (see
Turning to
Continuing with
Turning to
The controller 78 and the first, second and third inverters 72, 74, 76 are each disposed in the self-contained unit of the power inverter module 30. Furthermore, the cooling system 32 is generally disposed in the self-contained unit of the power inverter module 30. In other words, the controller 78, and the first, second and third inverters 72, 74, 76 are each disposed in the hollow 37 of the power inverter module 30, as well as a portion of the cooling system 32. As such, packaging of the controller 78 and the first, second and third power inverters 72, 74, 76, as well as the cooling system 32, in the self-contained unit of the power inverter module 30 provides a compact design, as well as provides easy assembly of the power inverter module 30 to the transmission 10 and easy disassembly of the power inverter module 30 from the transmission 10. Therefore, the power inverter module 30 is self-contained to be integrated into the transmission 10, thus simplifying assembly. As such, the configuration of the casing 12 can be consistent or the same, and thus provide a universal casing 12 that can be used in multiple different vehicles.
Referring to
A connection plug 84 (see
Turning to
In certain embodiments, the guide 86 is integrally formed with the platform 26 and the casing 12 inside the second cavity 24. More specifically, in various embodiments, the guide 86 is integrally formed with the platform 26 and one of the walls 16 inside the second cavity 24. In other words, the guide 86 is integrally formed with the platform 26 and one of the walls 16 inside the casing 12. Simply stated, the guide 86, the platform 26 and the casing 12 are formed of one piece. The guide 86 can be integrally formed with the platform 26 and the casing 12 by casting or any other suitable methods. In certain embodiments, the guide 86 can be attached to the platform 26 and the casing 12 by welding or any other suitable methods, instead of being integrally formed.
Referring to
Turning to
Turning to
Furthermore, the guide 86 can include a second segment 100 disposed in the second cavity 24. The second segment 100 defines a second passageway 102 spaced from the first passageway 98 and extending from the platform 26 to the casing 12 for guiding the fluid from the outlet 92 of the cooling system 32 in the first cavity 22 to outside of the casing 12 and bypassing fluid communication with the second cavity 24. Simply stated, the second passageway 102 is in fluid communication with the outlet 92.
In certain embodiments, the first and second segments 96, 100 are integrally formed with the platform 26 and the casing 12. More specifically, in various embodiments, the first and second segments 96, 100 are integrally formed with the platform 26 and one of the walls 16 inside the second cavity 24. In other words, the first and second segments 96, 100 are integrally formed with the platform 26 and one of the walls 16 inside the casing 12. Simply stated, the first and second segments 96, 100, the platform 26 and the casing 12 are formed of one piece. The first and second segments 96, 100 can be integrally formed with the platform 26 and the casing 12 by casting or any other suitable methods. The first and second segments 96, 100 can be attached to the platform 26 and the casing 12 by welding or any other suitable methods, instead of being integrally formed. Furthermore, the first and second segments 96, 100 can be integrally formed to each other. For example, in certain embodiments, the guide 86 can be a block defining both the first and second passageways 98, 102 with or without one or more voids 103 disposed between the first and second segments 96, 100 (see
Continuing with
Referring to
Turning to
Referring to
The transmission 10 can also include a first port 122 attached to the exterior 28 of the casing 12 about the first hole 118 such that the first port 122, the first hole 118 and the first passageway 98 are in fluid communication with each other for guiding the fluid from the first port 122 outside of the casing 12 through the first hole 118 to inside the casing 12. Generally, the fluid flows into the casing 12 through the first port 122. Specifically, the fluid flows through the first port 122, through the first hole 118 of the casing 12, through the first passageway 98 of the guide 86, through the first bore 114 of the platform 26, through the inlet 90 of the cooling system 32 and into the conduit 94 of the cooling system 32 inside the power inverter module 30 to cool various components of the power inverter module 30, which can include the first, second and third inverters 72, 74, 76 as discussed above.
In addition, the transmission 10 can include a second port 124 spaced from the first port 122 and attached to the exterior 28 of the casing 12 about the second hole 120 such that the second port 124, the second hole 120 and the second passageway 102 are in fluid communication with each other for guiding the fluid from inside the casing 12 through the second hole 120 to the second port 124 outside of the casing 12. Generally, the fluid flows out of the casing 12 through the second port 124. Specifically, the fluid flows from the conduit 94 of the cooling system 32 out the outlet 92 of the cooling system 32, through the second bore 116 of the platform 26, through the second passageway 102 of the guide 86, through the first hole 118 of the casing 12 and through the second port 124 to outside of the casing 12. Simply stated, cool fluid flows into the power inverter module 30 from outside the casing 12 and warm fluid flows out of the power inverter module 30 to outside of the casing 12 to be cooled again. It is to be appreciated that one or more fluid lines can be coupled to the first and second ports 122, 124 outside of the casing 12 to guide 86 the fluid to or from a reservoir containing the fluid. It is to also be appreciated that any suitable seal, gasket, etc. can be disposed between the wall 16 of the casing 12 and the first and second ports 122, 124 adjacent to the first and second holes 118, 120 to assist in sealing the first and second holes 118, 120 with the first and second ports 122, 124 to minimize fluid leaking outside of the casing 12.
In certain embodiments, the first and second ports 122, 124 are attached to one of the walls 16 of the casing 12. As discussed above, the first and second holes 118, 120 can be defined in the same wall 16. Therefore, the first port 122 is attached to the exterior 28 of the casing 12 about the first hole 118 and the second port 124 is attached to the exterior 28 of the casing 12 about the second hole 120. Simply stated, both of the first and second ports 122, 124 are attached to the same wall 16. The first and second ports 122, 124 are disposed on the same wall 16 of the casing 12 to provide uniformity of the casing 12. Therefore, providing a standard location for the first and second ports 122, 124, this transmission 10 can be adapted for multiple different vehicles. In other words, the transmission 10 is universal for multiple different vehicles. Furthermore, a standard location for the first and second ports 122, 124 allows one standard test machine to be utilized to inspect the power inverter module 30 during assembly of the transmission 10 for multiple different vehicles, instead of having different test machines configured for each different vehicle.
It is to be appreciated that various components have been removed from
While the best modes for carrying out the disclosure have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this disclosure relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the disclosure within the scope of the appended claims.
Diemer, John A., Triantos, Konstantinos, Garcia, Pete R., Miller, Kent A., Tata, Anthony P.
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